Modular articulating lighting

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for lighting. The apparatus may include a first jewel and a second jewel. The first jewel may support the second jewel by a first link. The first jewel may support the second jewel by a second link. The first link and second links may be configured for transmission of current between the first jewel and the second jewel. The first and second links may be the only attachments of the second jewel to the first jewel. The first jewel may be configured to selectively emit three different colors of light. The second jewel may be configured to selectively emit three different colors of light. The second jewel may be configured to selectively emit the three different colors of the first jewel. The selection may be performed by a user using a switch.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for lighting, the apparatus comprising:
 a first jewel; and 
 a second jewel that is supported by the first jewel by:
 a first link that is configured to provide current between the first jewel and the second jewel; and 
 a second link that is configured to provide current between the first jewel and the second jewel; 
 
 
       wherein:
 the first and second links are the only attachments of the second jewel to the first jewel; 
 the second jewel is configured to selectively emit three different colors of light; and 
 at least one of the first and second jewels include:
 a color-1 LED string that is configured to conduct current only from the first link to the second link; and 
 a color-2 LED string that is configured to conduct current only from the second link to the first link. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first and second links are the only electrical conductors between the first and second jewels. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first link is configured to have a first voltage, the first voltage corresponding to a first driver pole; and 
 the second link is configured to have a second voltage, the second voltage corresponding to a second driver pole. 
 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein:
 the color-1 LED string is configured to emit a first of the three colors; and 
 the color-2 LED string is configured to emit a second of the three colors. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the color-1 string and the color-2 string are disposed in the second jewel. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first jewel includes:
 the color-1 LED string; and 
 the color-2 LED string. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 a first of the three colors is of a first correlated color temperature (“CCT”); 
 a second of the three colors is of a second CCT; and 
 a third of the three colors is of a third CCT. 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a user-operable switch that is configured for selection of one of the three colors. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first jewel is configured to emit the three colors of light. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a third jewel that is supported by the second jewel by:
 a third link that is configured to provide current from the second jewel to the third jewel; and 
 a fourth link that is configured to provide current from the third jewel to the second jewel; 
 
 
       wherein:
 the third and fourth links are the only attachments of the third jewel to the second jewel; and 
 the third jewel is configured to emit the three colors. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a microcontroller that is configured to distribute current between the first link and the second link. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a transistor bridge that adjusts current flow through the first and second links in conformance with signals from the microcontroller. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 11  further including a canopy that is configured to be fixed to a ceiling. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the microcontroller and a transistor bridge are disposed in the canopy. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 14  further comprising a user-operable switch that is configured for selection of one of the three colors;
 wherein the switch is disposed in the canopy and is in communication with the microcontroller. 
 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein a microcontroller is configured to provide positive voltage to the:
 first pole to energize the color-1 LED strings; and 
 second pole to energize the color-2 LED strings. 
 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein:
 a first color of the three colors is a high CCT; 
 a third color of the three colors is a low CCT; and 
 a second color of the three colors is a mixture of the high CCT and the low CCT. 
 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the microcontroller is configured to alternately energize the color-1 and color-2 LED strings to produce the third of the three colors. 
     
     
       19. Apparatus for lighting, the apparatus comprising:
 a first jewel including a first LED light source; 
 a second jewel including a second LED light source; 
 a first LED light source control circuit; and 
 a second LED light source control circuit; 
 
       wherein:
 the first jewel is configured to be mechanically and electrically linked to a first jewel chain that is configured to be powered by the first LED light source control unit; 
 the second jewel is configured to be mechanically and electrically linked to a second jewel chain that is configured to be powered by the second LED light source control unit; 
 the second jewel is configured to be mechanically linked to and electrically isolated from the first jewel; 
 both the first and the second jewel are configured to selectively emit three different colors of light; and 
 wherein at least one of the first and second LED light sources include:
 a color-1 LED string that is configured to conduct current only from the first link to the second link; and 
 a color-2 LED string that is configured to conduct current only from the second link to the first link.